KUALA LUMPUR — In a historic triumph on the global stage, 26-year-old Taanusiya Chetty finished third at the Miss World 2026 pageant last night, matching Malaysia’s best-ever result set nearly three decades ago.
The Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola Dominguez captured the Miss World 2026 crown, with Spain’s Elisabeth Reynes Alabern taking second.
Taanusiya’s podium finish equals the record set by Lina Teoh in 1998, cementing the two beauty queens as Malaysia’s most successful pageant representatives in history.
Her spectacular run follows previous top-tier Malaysian performances by Rahimah Orchient Yayah in 1994 and Deborah Henry in 2007.
Known affectionately as Taanu, the Miss World Malaysia 2024/2025 titleholder launched into the Top Six after clinching the prestigious Beauty With A Purpose (BWAP) award, edging out Zimbabwe’s Brunette Makanyiso.
The BWAP title—a cornerstone of the competition—rewards contestants for driving high-impact community initiatives worldwide.
Throughout the month-long competition, Taanusiya commanded international attention with her poise and intellect.
A video of her seamlessly speaking English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil during the Head-to-Head Challenge on Aug 23 went viral, while her evening gown showcase in a striking pink creation by Vietnamese designer Minh Tuan Couture further solidified her frontrunner status.
This landmark victory elevates Taanusiya into an international pageant powerhouse while handing Malaysia its proudest moment on the Miss World stage in 28 years. – September 6, 2026.